Rhein

This study presented the development of a novel adsorbent system through the synthesis of cationic surfactant-modified Cu-doped ZIF-8 (Cu@ZIF-8), leveraging the synergistic advantages of bimetallic-enhanced surface area and surfactant-mediated stability. Among various surfactants evaluated, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB)-functionalized Cu@ZIF-8 exhibited superior adsorption performance toward emodin and rhein, driven by combined π-π interactions and hydrogen bonding. This optimized adsorbent facilitated the development of an innovative analytical method integrating Cu@ZIF-8-based extraction with UPLC-UV for the trace-level quantification of target analytes in complex biological matrices. Comprehensive optimization of critical extraction and desorption parameters yielded a robust analytical protocol with excellent linearity (0.05-5.00 μg/mL; R² = 0.9993 and 0.9980), sensitive detection limits (0.01 μg/mL), and satisfactory recovery (92.73-108.86 %). The validated method successfully characterized the urinary pharmacokinetic profiles of emodin and rhein following rhubarb extract administration in rats. Compared to conventional protein precipitation approaches, this approach offers significant advantages in simplicity, analysis speed and environmental compatibility. These findings position surfactant-engineered Cu@ZIF-8 as a promising platform for bioanalytical applications, particularly in the quantification of anthraquinone derivatives in biological specimens.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infection poses a significant challenge to the poultry industry, severely threatening poultry health and industrial development. The emergence of antibiotic resistance in conventional treatments underscores the urgent need for novel alternative therapies. Fermented Chinese herbal residue solution, as a potential substitute, is rich in bioactive components and exhibits multifaceted effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory mechanisms and key active compounds of the fermented herbal residue solution (BY3) in an APEC infection model. An in vitro APEC-infected HD11 cell model was established, with optimal infection conditions determined as a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 and an infection duration of 6 hours, based on cytotoxicity assays and qPCR analysis. Results demonstrated that BY3 intervention significantly downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines. APEC infection markedly upregulated the expression of key target genes in the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways, whereas BY3 treatment significantly reduced their expression. Western blot analysis further confirmed that BY3 significantly decreased the phosphorylation levels of AKT, P65, and IκB proteins, as well as the total PI3K protein content. These findings suggest that BY3 mitigates APEC-induced inflammation by modulating the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways. To elucidate the active components of BY3, non-targeted metabolomics sequencing, database comparison, and molecular docking were employed, identifying four key bioactive compounds: Tangeretin, Arctigenin, Rhein, and Phloretin. All tested compounds significantly reduced APEC-induced inflammatory cytokine expression. qPCR and Western blot analyses revealed differential regulatory effects on the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways. In the PI3K/AKT pathway, Tangeretin exhibited the most comprehensive inhibitory effect, significantly reducing both AKT phosphorylation and total PI3K levels. In the NF-κB pathway, all compounds except Rhein markedly decreased the phosphorylation of P65 and IκB. Collectively, BY3 and its identified compounds exert protective effects against APEC-induced HD11 cell damage by regulating the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways, suggesting that the fermented Chinese herbal residue solution may represent a promising therapeutic approach for APEC-related diseases in poultry.